The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has created a category of vaccination called core vaccinations. These are vaccines against diseases that:
- Are endemic to a region
- Are virulent/highly contagious
- Pose a risk of severe disease
- Have potential public health significance and/or are required by law
Core Vaccinations
An AAEP Core Vaccination, by definition, has clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety to justify their use in all horses. In other words, the vaccine works and it is safe to use.
- Tetanus (Infection – Environmental)
- Eastern and Western Encephalitis (EEE/WEE) (Mosquito-borne)
- West Nile Virus (Mosquito-borne)
- Rabies (Infected Animal Bite)
Risk Based Vaccinations
These commonly recommended risk based vaccinations are determined based in individual lifestyle and geographic region.
- Equine Influenza Virus (Infection – Inhalation)
- Equine Herpesvirus or Equine Viral Rhinopneumonitis, EHV-1/EHV-4 (Infection – Direct or Indirect Contact)
- Potomac Horse Fever (Environmental risks, non-infections horse-to-horse)
- Strangles/Streptococcus Equi (Highly Infectious) – titer recommended prior to vaccination
